Allan Batchelder's Blog: Immortal Treachery, page 9
August 9, 2015
On sale!
Not sure I'm using this blog correctly, but the point is, Steel, Blood & Fire is on sale for 99 cents for Kindle this week only! (08/09/15-08/14/15). Ninety-nine cents? C'mon, you've got that much change in your couch!
On sale!
Not sure I'm using this blog correctly, but the point is, Steel, Blood & Fire is on sale for 99 cents for Kindle this week only! (08/09/15-08/14/15). Ninety-nine cents? C'mon, you've got that much change in your couch!
May 5, 2015
Grimdark
Grimdark, as it has been defined by folks more in the know than yours truly, is both a genre and a style of narrative that is, well, grim, dark, gritty, and slightly dystopian. You’ll also find the words “amoral,” or “hopeless” attached to it. But it is sometimes easier to identify in its manifestations than its qualities. For example, it is generally agreed that George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones is grimdark. But things get murkier after that. Is Joe Abercrombie grimdark? How about Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner? Is Cormac McCarthy’s The Road grimdark? Or just effing grim?
I certainly aspire to it in my books, but the optimist and former stand-up comedian in me can’t resist the occasional flash of unwarranted absurdity. Sue me. Whether my works qualify or not, though, that thing we call “grimdark” has been around a good deal longer than its name.
Take Macbeth. If you feel anything but lousy after seeing or reading it, you either didn’t understand the text or you watched a bad production. Macbeth getting his comeuppance isn’t supposed to be satisfying. It’s a rusty dirk to the gut. Macbeth was the good guy in the beginning, the golden boy. But he runs afoul of some witches (including his wife!) and his own ambition, and all that potential is washed down the drain with a river of blood. The guys who come after him? The debate’s still out on those weasels.
Have you read or seen Titus Andronicus? It makes Game of Thrones look like something you’d see on Teen Nick. Maiming, decapitations, rape, murder, cannibalism. And that’s just in the ticket line.
And the real tragedy of Hamlet is that he lives in a world without sanity, reason or hope. What could be more grimdark than his line:
How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep? while, to my shame, I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men,
That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,
Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,
Which is not tomb enough and continent
To hide the slain?
Wowsers!
And I could go on and on about Othello and Lear as well. The point is these flavors have been around for centuries, at the very least. That we’ve only just gotten round to naming them is our bad.
April 3, 2015
FREE AGAIN!
Steel, Blood & Fire is FREE for the next five days, while we get primed for Book Three in the series this July!
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Blood-Fir...
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Blood-Fir...
February 8, 2015
On Grammar
One of the slipperiest issues in popular fiction is that of grammar. If you’ve read my books, you know I take tremendous license with the established rules. For example, there’s an age-old standard that we’re not supposed to begin sentences with ‘but’ or ‘and’. I do it frequently.
I wouldn’t consider myself an authority on grammar, but I do teach it for a living. Most of the ‘mistakes’ I’ve made are mistakes of choice (I am aware there’s a dangling modifier about two-thirds of the way through my first book, and I need to find and fix it!). I’ve tried to create a narrative voice that sounds like a story, rather than a work of literature. I’m not sure I could create literature even if I wanted to (‘never end a sentence with a preposition’). Mine are popcorn stories; they’re beach books and stormy weather sagas.
When I first encountered Stephen King’s work in middle school, I was instantly enthralled. As I grew older, I got a bit jaded. I became tired of his one-word sentences and paragraphs that seemed to defy everything I’d been taught. But I continued to mature, and now I adore him again. Stephen King writes with unmistakable voice and panache. And, after all, why should he follow rules that Joyce and Faulkner flout?
But on top of all this, I come from the stage. One of my readers observed that my work is very dialogue-heavy. Mea culpa. What else would you expect from a Shakespearean actor and former stand-up comic?
My work will never be analyzed in The New Yorker. And I’m okay with that. I just want to tell a ripping good yarn.
I wouldn’t consider myself an authority on grammar, but I do teach it for a living. Most of the ‘mistakes’ I’ve made are mistakes of choice (I am aware there’s a dangling modifier about two-thirds of the way through my first book, and I need to find and fix it!). I’ve tried to create a narrative voice that sounds like a story, rather than a work of literature. I’m not sure I could create literature even if I wanted to (‘never end a sentence with a preposition’). Mine are popcorn stories; they’re beach books and stormy weather sagas.
When I first encountered Stephen King’s work in middle school, I was instantly enthralled. As I grew older, I got a bit jaded. I became tired of his one-word sentences and paragraphs that seemed to defy everything I’d been taught. But I continued to mature, and now I adore him again. Stephen King writes with unmistakable voice and panache. And, after all, why should he follow rules that Joyce and Faulkner flout?
But on top of all this, I come from the stage. One of my readers observed that my work is very dialogue-heavy. Mea culpa. What else would you expect from a Shakespearean actor and former stand-up comic?
My work will never be analyzed in The New Yorker. And I’m okay with that. I just want to tell a ripping good yarn.
January 31, 2015
FREE FREE FREE on Kindle!
Steel, Blood & Fire is temporarily FREE (until Wednesday, Feb. 3rd).
Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Blood-Fir...
Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Blood-Fir...
December 29, 2014
Beast Mode!
How are the NFL and Epic Fantasy related? Two words: Beast Mode. Or, for those of you less familiar with professional football: Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is what you’d get if you put a helmet and shoulder pads on Tarmun Vykers – a man whose actions speak louder than anyone’s words, a man who is, to quote Lynch, “All about that action, boss.”
It’s not unusual for a running back to be both fast and strong, or strong and elusive, or fast and possessive of great vision, or graceful with soft hands. What is rare, however, is when you’ve got someone who is all of that and more. Lynch plays sick, hurt, or frustrated with his salary. He just plays. And it takes an army to tackle him. Think I’m exaggerating? Go to YouTube and watch Beast Mode highlights. Or listen to seasoned NFL veteran and broadcaster Steve Raible call it for the radio: http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/Raible-on-the-Call-Beast-Mode-79-Yard-Touchdown/873ebd9a-53ed-4e95-86f5-1c9fb908d517
Even when you know he’s coming, you can’t stop him.
And the thing is, Lynch is not some character dreamed up by an author with an overactive imagination. He’s real! If you think the feats accomplished by Tarmun Vykers or Conan the Barbarian or Elric of Melnibone are far-fetched, how do you explain the out-of-this-world magnificence of the Beast Mode? Put a sword in that man’s hand, and there’s no kingdom he couldn’t conquer.
It’s not unusual for a running back to be both fast and strong, or strong and elusive, or fast and possessive of great vision, or graceful with soft hands. What is rare, however, is when you’ve got someone who is all of that and more. Lynch plays sick, hurt, or frustrated with his salary. He just plays. And it takes an army to tackle him. Think I’m exaggerating? Go to YouTube and watch Beast Mode highlights. Or listen to seasoned NFL veteran and broadcaster Steve Raible call it for the radio: http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/Raible-on-the-Call-Beast-Mode-79-Yard-Touchdown/873ebd9a-53ed-4e95-86f5-1c9fb908d517
Even when you know he’s coming, you can’t stop him.
And the thing is, Lynch is not some character dreamed up by an author with an overactive imagination. He’s real! If you think the feats accomplished by Tarmun Vykers or Conan the Barbarian or Elric of Melnibone are far-fetched, how do you explain the out-of-this-world magnificence of the Beast Mode? Put a sword in that man’s hand, and there’s no kingdom he couldn’t conquer.
September 28, 2014
When Someone 'Gets' Us
I don't normally post reviews -- especially non-professional reviews. But this reader, Captain "My Other Car is a Boat," really understood what I was going for, really connected with my books. I love what he's written so much, I have to share!
"And it's a debut! I'm finally writing my review after reading this more than a year ago because I just finished the sequel, As Flies To Wanton Boys, which is just as good. The anti-hero, Tarmun Vykers, is the baddest guy in fantasy, even more so than the Bloody Nine. The writing is superb, and you get to know the characters like close friends. Somewhat reminiscent of Black Company as far as camaraderie goes, but far more action. The ultimate battle is the best and biggest this side of Coltaine's Chain of Dogs march or those in The Ten Thousand/Macht trilogy.
And now I see it's not available, even for Kindle, which is how I bought it and the sequel. It would be a shame if more people don't have access to this great book. Wonder what's going on. Buy it used if you have to but buy it."
"And it's a debut! I'm finally writing my review after reading this more than a year ago because I just finished the sequel, As Flies To Wanton Boys, which is just as good. The anti-hero, Tarmun Vykers, is the baddest guy in fantasy, even more so than the Bloody Nine. The writing is superb, and you get to know the characters like close friends. Somewhat reminiscent of Black Company as far as camaraderie goes, but far more action. The ultimate battle is the best and biggest this side of Coltaine's Chain of Dogs march or those in The Ten Thousand/Macht trilogy.
And now I see it's not available, even for Kindle, which is how I bought it and the sequel. It would be a shame if more people don't have access to this great book. Wonder what's going on. Buy it used if you have to but buy it."
August 5, 2014
What To Read
Tom Petty must have been talking about book sequels when he wrote “The waiting is the hardest part.” And, indeed, waiting for George R. R. Martin or Patrick Rothfuss to release the next book can be excruciating. While I’m not in their league, some of you have even groused at me about the length of time it’s taking to release my third book and/or re-release books one and two. All I can tell you at this juncture is that these things are coming.
In the meantime, I can recommend some authors and books that I’ve enjoyed immensely.
One of my current favorite authors is Joe Abercrombie. I was lucky enough to stumble onto him on his first book, The Blade Itself , and I’ve been happily devouring his works ever since. Joe’s books are chock full of black humor, violence, betrayals and sex, (not necessarily in that order, and often all at once) with the occasional hint of the supernatural. You won’t find any elves skipping merrily through the daffodils here.
Tad Williams is a fantastic writer who knows how to write epic fantasy and bring it all together into an equally epic climax. He’s also one of the first authors I ever encountered who was willing to reinterpret elves in a way that truly made them and their desires utterly alien. You might start with The Dragonbone Chair .
Glen Cook is often credited with having instigated a sea change in the way we approach epic fantasy, and his Tales of the Black Company is not to be missed, particularly in regards to the manner in which he handles military types in a fantasy world.
Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen was a healthy obsession for a good many years, as the former archeologist knows how to build worlds in ways that leave most of us in the dust (I suspect there’s some kind of pun there, but I’ll be damned if I can find it). Erikson admits to having been inspired by Cook, but he takes his ideas in amazing and unpredictable directions. Most noteworthy of all, Erikson knows how to wrap up each novel in a way that is as fulfilling as it is unforgettable. I could wax poetic, as Shakespeare might say, “For whole volumes, in folio” about other aspects of Erikson’s work, but I’ll leave it to you to discover them.
Years ago, I was looking for a new series when I stumbled upon Magician , by Raymond E. Feist. He quickly became my favorite author at the time and for a decade or more afterwards. His books are a little more straight Dungeons & Dragons than anyone else on this list, and, after reading through some thirty or so of them, I’m a little exhausted. Still, the man’s a master and doubtless inspired countless others in the genre.
You can’t really call yourself a fan of epic fantasy unless and until you’ve read Michael Moorcock’s Elric Saga, starting with Elric of Melnibone . I’m doing Moorcock an injustice, here, in even attempting to describe his work, but suffice it to say that Elric is essentially an albino elf sorcerer with a dark, sentient greatsword – and perhaps the inspiration for Erikson’s Anomander Rake?
Patrick Rothfuss is the much ballyhooed author of The Name of the Wind , the first book of the Kingkiller Chronicle. After a lengthy wait, I’m happy to see book three is coming out near Halloween. Anyway, Rothfuss’ protagonist, Kvothe, is part Bard, part Warrior and part…Harry Potter. Yes, yes, I know how that sounds, but Rothfuss pulls it off with incredible aplomb. I’m leaving a lot out, but that’s because I don’t want to spoil it for you! And his writing is simply beautiful.
R. Scott Bakker is another whose works I thoroughly enjoy. Like his friend Erikson, Bakker does away with many of the traditional trappings of epic fantasy and/or reinterprets them in ways that make them almost unrecognizable. The Thousandfold Thought is a great place to start reading Bakker.
George R. R. Martin – well, if you aren’t already familiar with the man and his work, I don’t know how I can possibly save you. There’s a reason Martin “doth bestride the narrow world/Like a Colossus, and we petty men/ Walk under his huge legs and peep about/To find ourselves dishonourable graves."
But fantasy’s not all I read.
I also enjoy Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch and/or Mickey Haller novels.
And I learn something every time I read Stephen King. Every time. His son, Joe Hill, is quite talented, too.
So, you ought to be able to find something here that’ll keep you occupied until Tarmun Vykers returns to the fray. And he will return, because, if you remember rightly, he was extremely pissed off the last time we saw him…
In the meantime, I can recommend some authors and books that I’ve enjoyed immensely.
One of my current favorite authors is Joe Abercrombie. I was lucky enough to stumble onto him on his first book, The Blade Itself , and I’ve been happily devouring his works ever since. Joe’s books are chock full of black humor, violence, betrayals and sex, (not necessarily in that order, and often all at once) with the occasional hint of the supernatural. You won’t find any elves skipping merrily through the daffodils here.
Tad Williams is a fantastic writer who knows how to write epic fantasy and bring it all together into an equally epic climax. He’s also one of the first authors I ever encountered who was willing to reinterpret elves in a way that truly made them and their desires utterly alien. You might start with The Dragonbone Chair .
Glen Cook is often credited with having instigated a sea change in the way we approach epic fantasy, and his Tales of the Black Company is not to be missed, particularly in regards to the manner in which he handles military types in a fantasy world.
Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen was a healthy obsession for a good many years, as the former archeologist knows how to build worlds in ways that leave most of us in the dust (I suspect there’s some kind of pun there, but I’ll be damned if I can find it). Erikson admits to having been inspired by Cook, but he takes his ideas in amazing and unpredictable directions. Most noteworthy of all, Erikson knows how to wrap up each novel in a way that is as fulfilling as it is unforgettable. I could wax poetic, as Shakespeare might say, “For whole volumes, in folio” about other aspects of Erikson’s work, but I’ll leave it to you to discover them.
Years ago, I was looking for a new series when I stumbled upon Magician , by Raymond E. Feist. He quickly became my favorite author at the time and for a decade or more afterwards. His books are a little more straight Dungeons & Dragons than anyone else on this list, and, after reading through some thirty or so of them, I’m a little exhausted. Still, the man’s a master and doubtless inspired countless others in the genre.
You can’t really call yourself a fan of epic fantasy unless and until you’ve read Michael Moorcock’s Elric Saga, starting with Elric of Melnibone . I’m doing Moorcock an injustice, here, in even attempting to describe his work, but suffice it to say that Elric is essentially an albino elf sorcerer with a dark, sentient greatsword – and perhaps the inspiration for Erikson’s Anomander Rake?
Patrick Rothfuss is the much ballyhooed author of The Name of the Wind , the first book of the Kingkiller Chronicle. After a lengthy wait, I’m happy to see book three is coming out near Halloween. Anyway, Rothfuss’ protagonist, Kvothe, is part Bard, part Warrior and part…Harry Potter. Yes, yes, I know how that sounds, but Rothfuss pulls it off with incredible aplomb. I’m leaving a lot out, but that’s because I don’t want to spoil it for you! And his writing is simply beautiful.
R. Scott Bakker is another whose works I thoroughly enjoy. Like his friend Erikson, Bakker does away with many of the traditional trappings of epic fantasy and/or reinterprets them in ways that make them almost unrecognizable. The Thousandfold Thought is a great place to start reading Bakker.
George R. R. Martin – well, if you aren’t already familiar with the man and his work, I don’t know how I can possibly save you. There’s a reason Martin “doth bestride the narrow world/Like a Colossus, and we petty men/ Walk under his huge legs and peep about/To find ourselves dishonourable graves."
But fantasy’s not all I read.
I also enjoy Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch and/or Mickey Haller novels.
And I learn something every time I read Stephen King. Every time. His son, Joe Hill, is quite talented, too.
So, you ought to be able to find something here that’ll keep you occupied until Tarmun Vykers returns to the fray. And he will return, because, if you remember rightly, he was extremely pissed off the last time we saw him…
June 27, 2014
Gaming Stores
Gaming stores have to be amongst the most difficult of small businesses to keep open and profitable. As a result, I always get excited and worried when a new one opens nearby, because I'd like it to hang around -- forever. Accordingly, I'm going to recommend to my Seattle-area readers that they pay a visit (or five hundred) to Meeples Games, in West Seattle.
Check 'em out at: http://www.meeplesgames.com
Check 'em out at: http://www.meeplesgames.com
Immortal Treachery
If you're dying for more information on my series, or related topics (swordplay, archeological finds, medieval war, etc.), please visit:
www.immortaltreachery.com
Twitter: @TarmunVykers
Or https://www.fa ...more
www.immortaltreachery.com
Twitter: @TarmunVykers
Or https://www.fa ...more
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